Diane Vogel Ferri’s full-length poetry book is Everything is Rising (Luchador Press). Her latest novel is No Life But This: A Novel of Emily Warren Roebling (Atbosh Media) Her essays have been published in The Cleveland Plain Dealer, Scene Magazine, and Yellow Arrow Journal, among others. Her poems can be found in numerous journals such as Wend Poetry, Blue Heron Review, Rubbertop Review, and Poet Lore. Her previous publications are Liquid Rubies (poetry), The Volume of Our Incongruity (poetry), and The Desire Path (novel). She has done many poetry readings locally. Diane’s essay, “I Will Sing for You” was featured at the Cleveland Humanities Festival in 2018. A former teacher, she holds an M.Ed from Cleveland State University and is a founding member of Literary Cleveland. Her poem, For You, was nominated for a Pushcart Prize and Best of The Net 2023

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Why Poetry?

Earlier this week I wrote about the generosity of writers. That notion has extended into my week with invitations to read my poetry at a couple local book stores. I love reading aloud. I'm a teacher after all! But I'm not an actress. I wonder how effective I will be in reading my own poems and whether they will make an impression out loud. (I'll let you know) However, I am once again grateful for the independent book store owners who are so supportive and encouraging of local writers and I thank God there are still independent book stores around!
Whenever I am faced with a new writing challenge there is always that little voice fluttering around in my head asking Why are you doing this? Where did these poems come from? I don't know and I don't know. But it's a part of my life now, a part of me.
The purpose of poetry is to remind us how difficult it is to remain just one person, for our house is open, there are no keys in the doors, and invisible guests come in and out at will. Czeslaw Milosz
Because poems are meanings, and even the saddest poem I write is proof I want to survive. And therefore it represents an affirmation of life in all its complexities and contradictions.
Gregory Orr
A poem begins in delight and ends in wisdom. Robert Frost

3 comments:

Kat Mortensen said...

Wish me luck, Diane. I'm doing a reading tonight and it's only the second time for me. It's at a political fundraiser for the Green Party. I'll let you know how it goes. Best of luck on your reading too!

Kat

RachelW said...

Good luck! I'm amazed by you and Kat, as you both have the courage to read your work out loud.

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

Blessings on your readings. Just share yourself with your audience. You'll be great.

Let us know how it goes.

As for why we do what we do? Who knows? I do so many different types of writing, but in my heart, I'm a novelist and always will be. Why? I couldn't say. I know only that's who I am and all the other kinds of writing I do are just secondary.